Rajshahi, Nov 16 (V7N) – BNP National Executive Committee Assistant Secretary for Relief and Rehabilitation and former General Secretary of Rajshahi Metropolitan BNP, Advocate Shafiqul Haque Milon, has said that development activities in the remote char areas of Rajshahi have long remained stagnant due to the poor state of communication infrastructure. He remarked that the long-standing isolation of these areas has hindered progress in education, healthcare, agriculture, and essential public services.

Speaking at a grassroots workers’ meeting on Friday afternoon at the Char Nabingram Government Primary School field, organized by Ward 1 BNP of Haripur Union ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election, Milon said that earlier development initiatives undertaken by former minister Kabir Hossain and former mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu had significantly benefited the community. He expressed commitment to reviving that progress by formulating an integrated development plan for the char region, emphasizing that improving communication networks must be the first priority.

Milon stated that the government could also explore improving river transport routes to ease travel for char residents. He assured that measures would be taken to ensure that agricultural products from the region can be sold at fair prices.

Referring to the BNP’s 31-point State Reform Framework, he said the proposals include clear guidelines on people’s welfare, public services, foreign policy, democratic restoration, and combating authoritarianism.

Addressing political issues, Milon said that those who are true patriots never abandon their country. He alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had fled the country multiple times, whereas BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia endured extreme pressure during the 1/11 political crisis but chose not to leave. He further claimed that Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko were tortured during remand with the intention to kill them, yet Begum Zia never bowed to pressure and continued to stand firmly for the people.

Milon alleged that Begum Zia was imprisoned for more than six years under fabricated charges and survived multiple near-fatal health episodes. He added that she is now struggling physically, even to speak clearly, due to her prolonged suffering.

Discussing the upcoming national election, Milon said the polls are expected in the first half of February next year but alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami is attempting to disrupt the election by raising various demands, including the introduction of a peer-based system, reforms, and most recently, insisting on a referendum.

He told the audience that Jamaat’s political history is marked by opportunism, claiming they supported India during the 1947 Indo-Pak war, acted as agents of Pakistan in 1971, participated in Ershad’s election in 1986, and later shifted alliances between BNP, Awami League, and Jatiya Party to suit their interests.

The meeting was attended by Paba Upazila BNP Member Secretary Assistant Professor Abdur Razzak, former Nohata Municipality Mayor and former President of Nohata Municipal BNP Sheikh Mokbul Hossain, Rajshahi Metropolitan BNP Vice-President Muktar Hossain Muktar, former Motihar Thana BNP President Ansar Ali, former Rajpara Thana BNP President Shawkat Ali, Tanore Municipality Mayor and district BNP member Mizanur Rahman Mizan, former Mohanpur BNP Organizing Secretary Kazim Uddin, district Jubo Dal Joint Convener Faridul Islam Saheb, former Paba Upazila Jubo Dal Joint Convener Sohel Rana, district Jubo Dal Joint Convener KH Rana Sheikh, BNP leaders Matiur Rahman Mati, Sirajul Islam Kalu, former Metropolitan Ward 1 BNP General Secretary Shamim Reza, Haripur Union BNP Convener Hasibul Hossain, and local leaders and activists of BNP, Jubo Dal, and Chhatra Dal.

END/MRA/SMA/